The US Census Bureau has found that the marrying age for today’s generation is 27 for women and 29 for men. People in urban areas in the East Coast marry later than those in the Southern states and the West Coast.

Marrying age is not really that important, per se. It’s how it affects the quality of the relationship that matters, how children are reared and whether or not it leads to divorce. Arguments about marrying young versus marrying older abound but there is no solid evidence to back one or other. Aside from age, other factors are in play that has an effect on the relationship: the background each one grew up in, educational level, religious beliefs, culture, emotional stability, etc.

Marrying young, in the early twenties or older, 25 and above, have their own advantages and challenges. That said, if you’re already married or are planning to, it’s best to be informed of the findings that different studies and surveys have yielded.

Marrying Young

Pros

1. Couples who married in their mid-20s report a higher level of happiness and contentment than those on either end – the ones who married in their teens or those that waited ’til their late 20s to early 30s. They are also less likely to drink frequently or feel depressed. These are results of the “Knot Yet” report from the National Marriage Project of the University of Virginia.

2. An early marriage means more sex for the couple. Maybe it’s the passion of youth coupled with guilt-free sex that makes it liberating and leads to more frequent sex. Whatever the reasons, Dana Rotz at Mathematica Policy Research has found that people who get married later have less sex. Common sense says more sex equates to a higher level of satisfaction and contentment within the marriage

3. A young husband-and-wife team is less likely to bear children with mental and biological defects. A study co-authored by Michael Rosanoff and Dr. Sven Sandin, of Autism Speaks and the Icahn School of Medicine in New York found that autism is highest in children borne of fathers between the age of 35 and 44 and when both parents are older.

4. Early marriage is good for the couple and their children. The generation gap is not as wide as with older parents, making it easier for them to understand their kids. Physical agility allows young parents to bond with their children at sports and other forms of play.

Cons

1. Young people are seldom fully developed psychologically and go into marriage unprepared. Marriage takes a lot of understanding and tolerance. When self-centeredness dominates, marital difficulties arise. This is why people who marry between the ages of 20 and 24 have the highest divorce rates, excepting teen marriages.

2. Financial insecurity is one major cause of couples fighting. People who marry young usually have lower educational attainment; hence, job and higher income opportunities are limited. When money is tight and spending habits clash, the chances of breaking up also increase.

3. Unrealistic expectations of one’s partner and the relationship are more common in early-age marriage. Romantic notions prevail but when reality sets in, disillusionment follows. Older and mature people are not as dreamy-eyed and can accept the bad as well as the good.

Marrying Older

Photo by Devon Christopher Adams

Pros

1. Couples between the ages of 25 to 34 have the lowest divorce rates and this figure has not changed since 2006. At this age range, most men and women have finished college education, landed well-paying jobs and acquired the emotional stability that marrying requires.

2. The same Knot Yet report found that married women 30 years old and over earned the most money, second only to never-married college graduate women. Holding out on marriage to focus on a career is certainly advantageous for the females.

3. Marrying at an older age gives a couple financial soundness because they have established careers, invested money and acquired property while unattached.

4. Parents who marry later and have children have the wisdom and maturity to deal with child-rearing, have more patience and know their priorities.

Cons

1. Unlike the women, men who marry later earn less than their feminine counterparts, regardless of their education. An explanation of this phenomenon has not been found.

2. Couples who marry at age 32 or older have a higher likelihood for divorce than those who marry in their mid- to late twenties. Wolfinger thinks this might have to do with a personality who is not predisposed to a married life, having gotten too used to the single state.

3. Having kids at an older age can put retirement plans on the back burner. Older parents have to work extra years to fund their children’s education and take on more life insurance to ensure that their family is secured.

4. Older parents have diminished energy to keep up with young kids and may not be able to relate to their teenage children on generational and social issues.

Blame it on Cinderella and Fifty Shades of Gray. Because of them, the population of baby boomers and millennials with XX chromosomes looked for their own Prince Charmings and Christian Grays to marry. And they lived miserably ever after.

Picking the man you plan to live with ’til death do you part should be a rigorous process of elimination. Set the heart aside and take a clinical approach to the selection. Broaden your knowledge by learning about the types of men to marry and the types to run away from. First, set your basic requirements for your potential lifetime partner – tolerable looks, a sense of humor, a bit of intelligence. After that, you must make it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a man to win you over. [Read more…]

We all grew up equating happiness with celebrating special occasions, reaching milestones and achieving coveted objects. It’s your birthday. You’re graduating. You just bought your dream car. These events are cause for joy and jubilee. For the average person living an ordinary life, fame and fortune can be mesmerizing. But the reality is, everyday life is filled with humdrum activities. And since we are programmed not to find contentment in the mundane, disappointment sets in. Familiarity breeds ordinariness, which in turn dampens its enjoyment. There is an unspoken belief that only extraordinary elements can bring satisfaction. But finding happiness in the ordinary is not an impossible goal.

If your pursuit of this sought-after emotion seems elusive, there is even more reason to seek it in the cycle of daily living. It’s just a matter of changing perspectives and attitudes and is not as difficult as it seems. [Read more…]

Divorce affects spouses in different ways. Women, who are more emotional in nature, often suffer the most during and after the divorce process. They end up alone with the kids, have little money and may experience depression for a long time. They feel devastated most of the time as they face the truth that their marriage has ended. And while they are going through an emotional turmoil, women need to be strong at the same time particularly when they have children to attend to.

Men, on the other hand, vary in their emotions after the end of their marriage. Some may show a strong front while the others who are more sensitive may become emotional. As to how they cope with the end of their marital relationship, the male spouses have their own way of dealing with the situation.

Surprisingly, research has shown that divorce makes men feel more devastated compared to women. A study, commissioned by Yorkshire Building Society to help create better mortgage products for divorcees, showed that men suffer more emotional trauma than women after the failure of their marriage. They also feel betrayed, confused and even suicidal.

The same survey found that 41 percent of men still felt sad more than two years after their divorce while only 33 percent of women experienced the same condition. [Read more…]

In our opinion, honeymoon destinations deserve more time, care, and planning, than the actual wedding day. After all, a wedding is one day of your life, and you spend most of that time too stressed over something going wrong to fully enjoy it. A honeymoon is usually a full week (maybe even two), and it’s generally your first major adventure as a couple.

How some people spend a fraction of the money on their honeymoons that they do on their weddings, is beyond us. With that said, here are our picks for the 5 best honeymoon destinations in the world. Let’s get started!

5. Castle Dracula In Romania

Castle Dracula, or ‘Bran Castle’ as it’s officially known, is located in Transylvania and fits author Bram Stoker’s description of his fictitious Count’s residence to a tee. Stoker never visited the location but allegedly used a drawing of Bran to fill out his monstrous creation’s life. If you wanted to make this romantic horror tale a part of your honeymoon, we couldn’t blame you. Visit here to start your planning. And before we forget: ‘Down with glittery vampires!’

4. Tour Of Italy

When you’re talking about touring Italy, it’s far too difficult to pinpoint just one location as a ‘must-see.’ Personally, if we were planning this as one of our possible honeymoon destinations, we would have to find time to visit Venice, the Colosseum and ancient Rome, and, of course, the Vatican. Way too much history and architectural beauty to ignore! Get started here.

3. Rangali Island Of Conrad Maldives

Okay, so not everything has to be about history. If you want all your fun stuff in one location, we suggest heading to Conrad Maldives — Rangali Island, in particular — and taking advantage of the resort-style atmosphere. You’ll arrive following a 30-minute flight via seaplane. From there, choose from 11 amazing restaurants and bars, including the famous Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. Then, go for a swim or spend a full day at the spa. Up to you. This link will allow you to start planning your getaway.

2. Huka Lodge In New Zealand

Fodor’s Travel calls New Zealand one of the World’s Best Honeymoon Destinations for 2014, and who are we to argue? If you want a location that has the scenery for taking it easy and the endless opportunities for adventure, then this is where you’ll want to go. And while you’re here, the Huka Lodge is considered one of the best hotels the country has to offer with island and park access for all the hiking, fishing, golfing, and boating you can possibly handle.

1. Makepeace Island In Australia

(Pictured at top)

This heart-shaped island in Australia is perhaps the quintessential honeymoon destination. In addition to being the perfect shape for love, it’s exclusively yours for the entire length of your stay. That’s because once you book it, no one else can get in. While there, swim and indulge in the great outdoors until your hearts are content. Just make sure you start planning today.

Which of these top honeymoon destinations do you find the most appealing, and what would you have included on the list?